Page 3 of Montana Manhunt

Her patient groaned as Seth hit yet another pothole in what passed for a road.

“Sorry,” Seth said. “The government isn’t wasting money on road maintenance.”

“Don’t care,” Taylor said between tightly gritted teeth. “As long as you get me out of this jungle, I’ll be happy.”

Teagan turned in her seat and smiled at their principal. “That’s the plan. Rest and leave everything else to us.”

“I don’t know what my husband is paying you and your team, but it’s not enough to compensate for the danger you’re facing.”

“Don’t worry about the money,” Violet said. “Focus on the fact that your husband loves you. We’re glad to help you reunite.”

“We’re thrilled to be a thorn in the side of the Moreno Cartel,” Seth added. “They’re nothing but a source of grief and trouble.” He fell silent, his gaze shifting from the rearview mirror to the side mirrors and back again. “Noah.”

“I see them.”

Violet peered over the backseat and grimaced. Not what she wanted to see coming at them.

Seth scowled. “Teagan, call Bowen.”

His new wife made the call and put it on speaker.

“Yeah, Bowen.”

“How many are on your tail?”

“Four vehicles, loaded. Iona is reporting another two coming toward her.”

Although the floor would be safer for Taylor, Violet couldn’t risk the other woman laying on it. With her injury, the bumpy ride could undo Violet’s patch job. The SUV had little in the way of shock absorption.

“Give us a minute, then shift to the right side of this cow path. Noah and Teagan will give you a hand with the tails.”

“Copy that.”

As Teagan lowered the passenger side window and assembled her sniper rifle, Noah kicked out the liftgate window and grabbed his own rifle.

“Hands over your ears,” Violet told Taylor. “It will get noisy in here fast.”

“What’s happening?”

“The cartel sent six vehicles with soldiers after us. We’ll take out two while our teammates handle the other four vehicles.”

“How?” Taylor’s voice shook.

“Leave that to us,” Seth said. “What do you want to do first when you get home?”

Their principal gave a short laugh. “Kiss my husband, Wyatt.”

Violet squeezed her hand. “Funny. That’s exactly what your husband said when our boss asked him the same question. How long have you been married?”

“Five years. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Violet’s gaze shifted to Noah, who watched the road behind them. “I understand,” she murmured to Taylor. “Focus on Wyatt and what you want to do and say when you’re stateside. Every minute that passes, you’re moving closer to that reunion.”

Tears streaked down the other woman’s cheeks. “Will I make it home, Violet?”

“You will. We’ll get you out of here and, in a few hours, you’ll be in Wyatt’s arms.”

“Bowen’s moving over now,” Seth warned. “Get ready.”

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